After losing Game 1 of the NLDs, the Philadelphia Phillies needed to bounce back and win Game 2. Despite another excellent performance by a starting pitcher, the Phillies’ offense couldn’t summon anything until it was too late, culminating in a crushing defeat.
Now down 0-2 to the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Phillies must head west to preserve their season. It’s possible, but only if the Phillies’ batters can get their act together and get hits in crucial moments.
Following Game 2, Alec Bohm explained why the Phillies’ batters struggle when the lights are brightest.
John Clark of NBC Sports Philadelphia reported on the veteran third baseman’s comments, which reflect a worrying mindset for the Phillies’ sluggers.
Why are Phillies hitters struggling to hit when the lights are at their brightest?
“I think there are some big spots where I think you’re trying so hard that it just gets you,” Bohm told the audience. “Everything is so heightened, and you’re so hyper-focused that you notice something and don’t know why you swung. It just happened. That is the point of the game where you must strive to slow down and stay inside yourself. Everyone just wants to help the team win.”
This playoffs, the Phillies haven’t delivered huge hits when they were required. Phillies hitters frequently come through in the clutch in 2022, and even into 2023.
Bryce Harper delivered some of the biggest swings of his career, Rhys Hoskins blasted clutch home runs, and Nick Castellanos went off during the 2023 NLDS against the Atlanta Braves.
JT Realmuto and Kyle Schwarber had their share of highlights as well, while Bryson Stott and Brandon Marsh provided timely hits when needed.
However, over the past two postseasons—particularly after Games 1 and 2 of the 2023 NLCS against the Arizona Diamondbacks—the Phillies’ bats have consistently gone cold in critical moments. In this year’s NLDS versus the Dodgers, the team is hitting just .203 with a .601 OPS.
When the pressure rises, the Phillies’ hitters simply haven’t delivered. As Alec Bohm noted, the lineup appears to be trying too hard. Every player dreams of being a postseason hero, but in their effort to make that happen, they’ve been pressing at the plate.
Their struggles extend beyond high-pressure situations. Schwarber has yet to record a hit this postseason, while Harper and Trea Turner each have only one.
The offense overall has been stagnant, and Bohm—who’s 1-for-6 with two walks and two runs scored—has surprisingly been among their better performers.
No team can advance deep in October with an offense this flat, and Bohm’s comments make it clear that the lineup’s anxiety and overexertion are leading to poor results across the board.
As the lights get brighter, the Phillies’ hitters are tightening up instead of stepping up, turning what could have been another strong playoff run into a disappointment. With elimination looming, the lineup must quickly regroup before facing Dodgers ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto on Wednesday, October 8, in a must-win Game 3 of what has been a nightmare NLDS for Philadelphia.